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The Documentary: Fighting talk: How language can make us better

Cancer patient

12/08/2020 GMT

Fighting talk: How language can make us better

BBC World Service - The Documentary, Fighting talk: How language can make us better

What impact does the language we use around cancer have on those living with the disease?

When we talk about cancer it’s often hard to find the right words. As we search for the perfect thing to say, we find ourselves reaching for familiar metaphors; the inspiring people fighting or battling their cancer.
 
Cara Hoofe is currently in remission from Stage 3 bowel cancer, she says it would be easy for her to say she’s beaten cancer. Yet she’s still uncomfortable with the terminology. If she’s won her fight, does that mean others have lost?
 
In this programme Cara asks experts what impact these militaristic metaphors actually have on those living with cancer, and asks current and former patients what we should talk about when we talk about cancer.

(Photo: Cancer patient laughing as she talks with a nurse. Credit: Science Photo Library)

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